What to expect when you start college: everything you need to know
Starting college can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. If you are wondering what to expect during your first few days at college, we have put together essential information to help you get off to a flying start.
FAQs for your first few days
To start a course at Capital City College (CCC), you will need to enrol in person.
If you are aged 16-18, you will need to bring proof of your qualifications, such as results slips and proof of residency. For students aged 19 and over, you will need to bring proof of qualifications, proof of residency and proof of employment status or income.
Your first day will vary depending on your chosen centre and course, but all students will have an induction day to help them ease into college life.
During your induction day, you will find out more about the college and your course. You will also meet your teachers and other students and have some time to become more familiar with your centre and its facilities.
In addition to the documents you will need for enrolment, there are a few items that will come in handy as you start college. You can read our guide to the books, stationery, and equipment you may need here.
Some students prefer to use one notebook for everything, while others use an array of highlighters and colour-coded folders. However you like to organise your studies, make sure you give yourself time to get the equipment you need for your course. Remember that CCC offers bursaries to support students with costs related to their studies.
This might be the first time in your academic career that you are not required to wear a specific uniform. It can feel like quite a big change, and you may need some help working out what to wear to college. CCC does not have a dress code, and it’s up to you what you wear, so long as it’s appropriate for college and your course.
Dressing for college is a great opportunity to express yourself, but remember to consider how you will be spending your day. Try to prioritise comfort and find an outfit that will work for your study environment.
We provide overalls, lab coats, and tabards for students for courses such as Construction, Engineering, Science, Hairdressing, and Beauty Therapy, as well as some A Levels. However, it’s wise not to wear your most precious fashion items during more practical classes.
If you are transitioning from school to college, you will notice that there are some big differences in how things work. You will be expected to be more independent and take greater responsibility for your learning. This includes planning your study schedule and ensuring you complete your assignments on time.
There will not be a bell to signal the start and the end of lessons, so you will need to make sure you are in the right place at the right time. Once you have got your timetable, try to find where your lessons will take place so you can find your way there more easily. Also, at college, you will call teachers by their first names rather than using their surnames, which might feel strange at first. It’s all part of being in a further education environment and having the opportunity to learn and grow alongside a broader range of educators.
If you are joining our Sixth Form in Angel, you may want to learn more about how Sixth Form Colleges differ from schools.
Our term dates tend to differ from school term dates. You can find our term dates for the academic year below, including teaching start dates, bank holidays, teacher training, half terms, and closure dates.
Our top tips for settling in
You might be joining college with a bunch of classmates from school, or you may be attending solo. Either way, starting at a new college is a great opportunity to meet new friends – so make time to get to know the people around you.
Whether it’s walking to the bus stop together or getting together to work on an assignment, investing time and energy in new connections is a great way to make the most of your college experience.
Take some time in your first few days to explore the college and make sure you know where your classrooms or relevant study facilities are. Our college has a range of campuses, each offering students a different learning environment. You can explore the college with people from your course or ask existing students and teachers for help.
As you explore, make a mental note of places where you can:
- Get support with your studies or wellbeing
- Sit and study quietly or chat with friends
- Relax and decompress
- Grab a snack and a drink
Don’t feel pressured to know where everything is right away. There is plenty of time to find your way around – and you will be surprised how quickly your new college starts to feel more familiar.
Taking part in extracurricular activities can help you connect with your college community in meaningful ways. Joining clubs, societies or sports teams can boost your skills and help you make new friends.
At CCC, the clubs and societies include anime, arts and crafts, board games, circus skills, debating, Duke of Edinburgh awards, Dungeons and Dragons, sociology in action, street dance, student-led podcasts, newspapers and many more.
Each campus also has a range of friendly and inclusive teams allowing students to take part in sports such as athletics, badminton, basketball, boxing, cricket, esports, football, futsal, goalkeeping, netball, table tennis and volleyball.
Whether you stick to what you know or branch out into exciting new activities, try not to take on too much at once, and pick a few things you can really enjoy.
Embarking on studies in a new environment can be tiring. You may also be socialising more, and your days might be longer than they used to be. Amid all the excitement of new beginnings, it can be easy to forget the essentials.
Remember to:
- Eat and drink well to keep your body healthy.
- Get plenty of sleep and rest to keep your energy levels up.
- Keep moving and do whatever exercise you enjoy.
- Make time for self-care and remember to disconnect from social media when you need to relax.
At CCC, providing student support is a top priority, and each centre has a specialised mental health and wellbeing team.
Whether you are transitioning from GCSEs to A Levels or beginning a course in a brand new subject area, starting at a new college can be a great experience. We hope you enjoy this new adventure and, if there is anything you need to know, don’t be afraid to ask our friendly college support staff or your teachers. You can also get in touch with the relevant teams using our contact us page.
If you have not yet decided what to do this coming academic year, take a look at our excellent range of courses and enrol today!
King’s Cross
London
WC1X 8RA
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